Black Rice – The New Superfood

Few of us have probably heard of Black Rice, which according to Chinese legend was only for emperors to eat, so nutritious, tasty and rare was it. But now this rare grain, with its health giving properties is likely to make its appearance in grocery stores nearby.

Like blackberries, and blueberries, black rice contains anthocyanin antioxidants according to a Louisiana State University study.

Not only does black rice contain as many anthocyanin antioxidants as blueberries, it also has more vitamin E antioxidants, and fiber and less sugar.

According to Zhimin Xu, PhD, of Louisiana State University Agricultural Center who examined the health giving properties of black rice grown in Southern America, black rice could be an easy and inexpensive way to increase people’s intake of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are important to prevent heart disease, cancer, and maintain good health.

The health value of beverages and foods such as cakes, cookies, breakfast cereals, could be greatly enhanced and boosted by adding extracts of black rice and its bran.

It is claimed that black rice is even better for health than brown rice, which itself contains high levels of one of the vitamin E compounds known as “gamma-tocotrienol” as well as “gamma-oryzanol” antioxidants which can fight heart disease and even lower levels of bad cholesterol or LDL.